Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1887-04-09
The GADETSHlP.
BY JAMES FRANKLIN Fits.

junior. Excepting a brief period, of which
something viii be said by and by, we have
lived all Our lives together. AS boys We
were brought up in the same family; after
had graduated at West Point my leave
was passed at home; and only q short in
tsrval followed before I was severely
wounded at Buena Vista. That day made
me a cripple and an invalid for life, and a
Government pensIOner. 1t was at CAROLS
Preside that 4 found a hearty and affection
ate welcome; and nothing, during all the
years that have since passed. has happened
10 make me regret that consented when
Carroll insisted that this should always be
my home. / have seen his children grow
up in this house; some have died, some
have married; Of all the happy family that
/ have seen here in these forty years, there
only remain now Carroll and his good old
wife, and two orphan grandchildren.
To have fought IN the Mexican war; to
have seen Scott and Taylor IN command;
to have survived the stern experience OF
Buena Vista, even as a physical wreck
these things, il may be thought, should
qualify me to tell long and interesting stO-
mes Of marching, fighting, and campaign
ing. And so they do. CAROLS boys
could testify that they have heard Uncle
Carson talk Of his experience in Mexico BY
tie hour; and their uncle can certify that
tie youngsters were never satisfied. But
] did not take up my pen to relate any
tory OF our country shows that such expe-
nences are common enough now; the
newspapers and magazines are full OF
them. What i do wish 10 say relates 20
something that is not so common-to no.
bility of heart, to tender brotherly affection
to Carroll, in short, God bless him
Something that ne had concealed from me
for years he was led by his sense Of duty,
into revealing last NIGHT; and 1t has so az
fected me that it must be set down.
Observation has shown me that in most
families there is much pickering and quar-
reling among the children. Not being a
philosopher, AID having been condemned
BY the circumstances have named to be
a bachelor, 1 cannot account for this IN
pleasant fact. What has impressed the
fact more deeply upon my mind is the very
sharp contrast that / ind upon going back
to the days Of my boyhood- If Carroll and
ever had quarrel, cannot now remem-
Der it. We played together, studied to-
gethers worked together, IN the utmost
harmony. We were the only children Of
the family, and our brothelly attachment
strengthened as we grew. One wise and
deeply-read boy at school remember, who
called us Damon and Pythias. In disposi-
ton and tastes We were not at all alike.
Carroll was rather reserved, studious,
thoughtful. and earnest; was not over
fond Of my book, and was headlOng and
impulsiye. Aly fun was OF the boisterOus
and noisy kind; he had fine sense Of hu-
NOR, and would say amusing things, with a
twinkle Of the eye but a very straight
face.
We we're large lads, weI-grown, healthy,
and advanced Ia our studies, so that the
question as to whether We or either Of us
should 90 to college had been to some ex-
tent discussed, when father came in one
evening looking rather serious, with a let
ter IN his hand. He was one OF that rather
rare kind Of parents who treat their boys
with the utmost 1rankness, and get their
confidence by freely giving their own.
Boys he said here is something that
really troubles me. I might as well tell
You about it at once. 1t is letter from
Mr.. Sanders, our Repres entatVe IN Con-
Yress. He says that there Is a vacancy in
Ehe Military Academy at West Point, and
that he can control the appointment. He
Is one Of my best friends, and he offers the
cadetship Tor one Of You. think
I interrupted him before he could express
his opinion. / jumped from my chair.
clapped my hands, and cried:
oh father, let me gol I'd like it above
all things.D
1 thought shade Of surprise crossed his
face.
would be just the thing for you. Do you
think you would like a military life2"
Il knOig L should"
"But You don't know what West Point
Is. You have no idea of the severe course
Of study, and the discipline Of the place"
Other boys have succeeded there; I
shall not fail"
My father smiled at the largeness Of my
aCarrOu, what do you think of this?" he
asked.
1 was very eager to get my fathers con-
sent, but did not fail to observe that my
brother was very much affected by my de-
termination He seemed not only greatly
surprised, but panied also. Father had to
repeat the question before he answered.
IL don't know, sir. This is very sud
den. / never supposed that Carson wanted
10 be q soldier"
Il never said I did" was my comment.
~But, now that the thing is mentioned, and
there seems to be chance can see with
out one minutes thinking that it's Just the
thing for me"
never was more In earnest, nor more
honest, in my life; but the expression OF
ny fathers fao~ showed me that he y .-s .i-
ed me as a rattls-brained boy.
$50 on, Carroll, he said
81 don't know what to say, sir. 1t isn't
the career should have chosen for Car
son But il he thinks it Is the one that
would suit him best, suppose sup
pose"
He got up and hastily left the room.
1t seemed strange to me that CarrOn
affected at the thought OF the dangers Of
the soldiers life; but I knew his affection
for me, and I felt touched by this proof Of
it.
Ny father wrote to Mr.. Sanders, thank
ing HIM for the offer, and asking for one
week in which to decide. In the meantime
he talked TO me very seriously about the
profession that ] wished to enter, and the
great difficulty OF preparation for it. ] was
much Impressed by what he said; but he
saw that my mind was thoroughly made
MP, and at the end OF the week he wrote
again 70 Mr.. Sanders requesting him 10
send In my name
Once alter this Carroll spoke to ne
Are you sure this is the life you want to
follow he asked.
"suEe7 OF course am. Don't you want
me 70 go7'
aYes; that is if You really want to-
His face was very serious; but lie added
with a smile.
aAnd when you get to be a Brigadier-
General don't get proud and refuse to
speak to as fellows in plain clothes"
. 4 pass my course at the Military Aead-
envy with a few words. found it hard
struggle indeed for the first two years;
nothing but my PRIDE and the confidence
with which had boosted that I would sue
coed, gave me the Industry and psrsever-
ance needtut to success in that rigid school.
When j graduated and went home as a
Br6Vet Second Lieutenant j was received
by father, Carroll, and numerous friends
and relatives, with evident pride and adj
miration- had forgotten 10 say that our
mother died long before. Carroll, espe-
cially, expressed the greatest satisfaction
with my military bearing, my smart new
uniform, and the fact that j was o
whole inch taller than he. 1t is
not necessary TO crowd this plain mar
native with details. After some duty at